ISBN : 9780198722380
The Oxford Handbook of Mystical Theology provides a guide to the mystical element of Christianity as a theological phenomenon. It differs not only from psychological and anthropological studies of mysticism, but from other theological studies, such as more practical or pastorally-oriented works that examine the patterns of spiritual progress and offer counsel for deeper understanding and spiritual development. It also differs from more explicitly historical studies tracing the theological and philosophical contexts and ideas of various key figures and schools, as well as from literary studies of the linguistic tropes and expressive forms in mystical texts. None of these perspectives is absent, but the method here is more deliberately theological, working from within the fundamental interests of Christian mystical writers to the articulation of those interests in distinctively theological forms, in order, finally, to permit a critical theological engagement with them for today.
Divided into four parts, the first section introduces the approach to mystical theology and offers a historical overview. Part two attends to the concrete context of sources and practices of mystical theology. Part three moves to the fundamental conceptualities of mystical thought. The final section ends with the central contributions of mystical teaching to theology and metaphysics. Students and scholars with a variety of interests will find different pathways through the Handbook.
List of Contributors
Mark A. McIntosh and Edward Howells: Introduction
Part I: Understanding Mystical Theology
1 Rowan Williams: Mystical Theology and Christian Self-Understanding
2 Mark A. McIntosh: Mystical Theology at the Heart of Theology
3 Edward Howells: Mystical Theology and Human Experience
4 Bernard McGinn: The Genealogy of Mystical Traditions
5 Maria Clara Lucchetti Bingemer: Mystical Theology in Contemporary Perspective
Part II: Sources, Contexts, and Practices
6 Kevin L. Hughes: Living the Word
7 Andrew Louth: The Liturgical Mystery
8 Joanne Maguire: Mystics as Teachers
9 Luke Dysinger, OSB: The Ascetic Life
10 Peter Tyler: Prayer
11 Patricia Zimmerman Beckman: Lives and Visions
12 Rob Faesen, SJ: Mystical Texts
13 Alexander J. B. Hampton: Mystical Poetics
Part III: Key Patterns of Mystical Thought
14 John Arblaster: The Image and Likeness of God
15 Boyd Taylor Coolman: Spiritual Itineraries
16 Charlotte Radler: Depth, Ground, Abyss
17 Louise Nelstrop: Erotic and Nuptial Imagery
18 David Albertson: Cataphasis, Visualization, and Mystical Space
19 Cyril O'Regan: Theological Epistemology and Apophasis
20 Rik van Nieuwenhove: Trinitarian Indwelling
21 Bernard McGinn: Mystical Union
Part IV: Mysticism and Theology
22 David Tracy: Metaphysics, Theology, and the Mystical
23 Jean-Luc Marion: The Mystical -- or What Theology Can Show
24 Rik Van Nieuwenhove and William Crozier: The Trinity
25 Amy Hollywood and Rachel Smith: Christology
26 Brandon Gallaher: Pneumatology
27 Douglas E. Christie: Creation and Revelation
28 Philip Sheldrake: Anthropology
29 Aristotle Papanikolaou: Theosis
30 Gemma Simmonds: Ecclesiology
31 Ann W. Astell: Social Life
32 Michael Barnes, SJ: Interreligious Dialogue
33 Hugh Feiss, OSB: Eschatology
